The Railway Project Management Unit under the Ministry of Construction has submitted an update on the project's pre-feasibility study, prepared by transport consultancy TEDI South.
Under the proposal, the railway would run from An Binh Station in Di An Ward to Vung Tau Station in Tam Thang Ward.
The network would span approximately 132 kilometres, including a 103.4-kilometre main line, a 4.21-kilometre junction at Phuoc Tan, an 8.4-kilometre Trang Bom-Phuoc Tan connection and 20.41 kilometres of branches serving ports and logistics centres.
The electrified, double-track railway would use the standard 1,435mm gauge, with a maximum design speed of 160km/h on the main line and 80km/h on port branches.
The proposed network would include 14 stations, three depots at An Binh, Trang Bom and Thi Vai, and maintenance facilities.
Preliminary investment is estimated at VND 198.2 trillion, with land requirements of around 588 hectares.
The project is envisaged in two phases.
The first, costing approximately VND 120.8 trillion, would cover land clearance and construction from An Binh and Trang Bom to Thi Vai, including connections to the Thi Vai-Cai Mep port complex.
Construction is targeted to begin before 2030, with operations expected from 2035.
The second phase, estimated at VND 77.4 trillion, would extend the railway from Thi Vai to Vung Tau, with operations targeted before 2045.
By 2045, the railway is projected to handle 23 million to more than 30 million passengers annually and between 16.5 million and nearly 22 million tonnes of freight.
The project management unit is awaiting agreement from HCM City authorities on a proposed route adjustment through the Vung Tau area, following National Highways 51 and 51B.
The adjustment would also relocate the terminal station to the Bau Trung urban cultural park area.
The unit has asked the Ministry of Construction to consider holding a final review meeting before proceeding with the next stages of project preparation.
